Thursday, May 12, 2011

Make Bags Out Of Leaves

You can make a whimsical bag out of pressed leaves.


There are many craft projects that can be created using pressed leaves, including place mats, window pictures or bags. If you want to create a pressed-leave bag or other craft project, it is important to press the leaves in order to flatten them, making them easier to use in craft projects. These pressed leaves can then be covered in clear contact paper and used in projects.


Instructions








1. Select a variety of large leaves.


2. Place the leaves into the pages of a heavy hardcover book. Make sure that the leaves are flat before you close the book.


3. Allow the leaves to remain in the book until they are completely dry, which will take about one week.


4. Remove the leaves from the book, and place them onto a table.


5. Cut two sheets of clear contact paper to measure 18 inches wide by 24 inches long each.


6. Lay the sheets of contact paper, sticky-side up, horizontally onto the table.


7. Lay the flattened leaves onto half of each sticky-contact sheet, covering the half completely. Leave about 1/4 inch along the perimeter of the sheets uncovered.


8. Fold the uncovered half of each clear contact sheet over the leave covered half, sealing the edges completely. These will be the front and back of the bag.


9. Use a single hole punch to poke six holes along each short side of each sheet. Poke six holes along the bottom edge of each sheet.


10. Place the two sheets together, lining up the short sides and holes.


11. Sew the edges of each side with twine.


12. Sew along the bottom edges with twine to connect them together. Leave the top of the bag open.


13. Poke two holes on each side of the opening, spacing the holes around 6 inches apart.








14. Cut two pieces of ribbon, each measuring 18 inches.


15. Thread the end of each ribbon through a hole, and knot the ends to secure them.


16. Cut off any excess twine or ribbon, and use your leave bag.

Tags: clear contact, contact paper, pressed leaves, along bottom, clear contact paper, craft projects